Aureovariegatum

Character & interest

This variegated sycamore maple plays on a green/yellow contrast: it “lights up” a planting scheme, especially when placed against a dark background (conifers, dark green hedges, walls). A good option if you want a large ornamental tree that is often more tolerant and easier than a Japanese maple in many situations (wind, urban conditions), while still keeping very ornamental foliage.

Colours

• Spring : green foliage marked with yellow (golden effect).

• Summer : yellow variegation still visible, sometimes shifting more toward cream depending on conditions.

• Autumn : possible overall yellowing; interest varies with climate.

Habit & vigour

A large tree with a generally rounded to spreading habit with age (typical sycamore maple silhouette). Variegation can slightly reduce vigor compared with the green type, and the lighter foliage is more sensitive to extremes (drought, scorching sun, drying winds).

Indicative size

Indicative ranges depending on training and conditions:

• can exceed 15–20 m at maturity in the ground (large-growing tree),

• spread is often significant (broad crown),

• in urban/garden contexts, final size depends strongly on soil, available space, and training/pruning.

Exposure

Gentle sun / bright partial shade. Variegation looks best in good light, but a spot sheltered from harsh afternoon sun reduces the risk of scorch on the yellow areas, especially in hot/dry climates.

Origin & history

The name is also encountered as Acer pseudoplatanus f. aureovariegatum (yellow-variegated form). It is associated with a 19th-century horticultural publication, but many taxonomic databases treat it as a synonym under Acer pseudoplatanus. In nurseries, the name may be used more or less broadly for yellow-variegated sycamore maples.